Casper Ware and Greg Plater led Long Beach State (6-8, 0-1) with 17 points each. T.J. Robinson had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Turnovers made the difference as the 49ers committed 15 miscues that UC Riverside converted for 19 points. The Highlanders committed eight turnovers for eight Long Beach State points.

UC Riverside shot just 24 percent in the first half to trail 28-21 at halftime. The Highlanders improved their second-half shooting to 55.6 percent and closed the gap to 63-63 at the end of regulation.